Earlier this year, Kalen DeBoer willingly took on one of the most daunting tasks for a coach in college football history when he became Nick Saban 's successor at Alabama .
At the very least, he's off to an encouraging start.
In the first road game of DeBoer's tenure, the Crimson Tide rolled to a 42-10 victory against Wisconsin in front of what began as a sold-out crowd at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin .
REQUIRED READING: Alabama football report card: How does the Tide grade out in win vs Wisconsin?
Jalen Milroe led a potent Alabama offense, racking up 271 total yards and five touchdowns (three passing, two rushing). In the third game of his promising college career, Ryan Williams had a team-high four catches for 78 yards and a 31-yard touchdown.
After falling behind 3-0 early in the first quarter, the Tide dominated the rest of the way, rattling off 28 unanswered points.
"Finishing out the second quarter the way we did with the stop and then the touchdown and then coming back and doing the same thing in the third quarter, those are small things that add up," DeBoer told Fox's Jenny Taft after the game. "That was a big part of the game and the momentum."
Defensively, it overwhelmed the Badgers , who had to play much of the game with backup Braedyn Locke at quarterback after starter Tyler Van Dyke was injured on the first drive of the game and spent the remainder of the afternoon on crutches on the sideline.
Wisconsin finished with just 290 total yards and averaged only four yards per play. Conversely, Alabama racked up 407 total yards and averaged 7.3 yards per play. The Tide has outscored its opponents by a combined 147-26 margin in its first three games.
After enjoying a bye week next week, one of two it will have in 2024, DeBoer's team will host No. 1 Georgia on Sept. 28 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in what will be one of the biggest, most consequential games of the 2024 college football season.
Here's a look at the score, updates, highlights and more from Alabama's lopsided victory against Wisconsin:
Watch Alabama football vs Wisconsin with Fubo (free trial)
| TEAMS |
1Q |
2Q |
3Q |
4Q |
F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALABAMA |
7 |
14 |
14 |
7 |
42 |
| WISCONSIN |
3 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
10 |
A thoroughly dominant performance from the Tide, who outgain the Badgers by a 407-290 margin on their way to a 3-0 start.
The Tide's backup quarterback has entered the game with about eight minutes remaining and Alabama up by 32. That means the end of the day for Jalen Milroe, who finished with 271 total yards and five touchdowns. He went 12 of 17 passing for 196 yards and three touchdowns while racking up 75 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries.
If it wasn't already, the rout is on.
Jalen Milroe finds a wide-open Josh Cuevas darting up the middle of the field and connects with him for a 37-yard touchdown pass. It came immediately after a 20-yard punt return from Ryan Williams .
On the game broadcast, Fox's Jenny Taft reported that safety Malachi Moore (upper extremity injury) and running back Richard Young (lower-body injury) are out for the remainder of the game for Alabama. Qua Russaw hasn't returned, either.
The Tide just punted and pinned Wisconsin back to its own 9 with about 12 minutes left.
At this point, it's a matter of how much the Tide will ultimately win by.
For the second time today, the Tide capitalizes on a Wisconsin turnover in its own territory. On an RPO, Milroe briefly looks like he'll hand off to Jam Miller, but pulls the ball away and, with Miller throwing a block, charges into the end zone untouched.
Milroe now has 234 total yards and four touchdowns. Alabama's back up by 25, 35-10.
After being forced to punt after a three-and-out, Alabama forces a second fumble of the day, with Deontae Lawson ripping the ball out of the arms of Wisconsin's Cade Yacamelli. Tide takes over at the Badgers' 18.
On a 4th-and-goal from the 3, Locke finds Will Pauling in the end zone to get Wisconsin its first touchdown of the day and get the Badgers within 18, 28-10.
It was a methodical march, going 75 yards in 17 plays and chewing 8:14 off the clock. Alabama obviously doesn't want to be giving up yards or points, but if Wisconsin's going to get back in this, it'll need to strike a little quicker.
The Tide gets the ball to start the second half and goes effortlessly up the field, gaining 75 yards on only five plays and in just 2:20. Jam Miller finishes it off with a 34-yard touchdown run in which he was untouched by the Wisconsin defense.
Alabama's lead is up to 28-3 now with 12:40 left in the third quarter. Unless Kyle Shanahan takes over as the play-caller, this one's over.
The Tide enters the halftime locker room on a high note, with a pair of second-quarter touchdowns pushing its lead to 18. What began as a raucous home atmosphere at Camp Randall Stadium has quieted considerably.
Some halftime stats of note:
Total yards:Alabama 224, Wisconsin 148
Passing yards:Alabama 130, Wisconsin 71
Rushing yards: Alabama 94, Wisconsin 77
Penalties: Alabama 3-15, Wisconsin 1-3
First downs: Alabama 9, Wisconsin 9
Third downs:Alabama 4-7, Wisconsin 1-7
Yards per play: Alabama 8, Wisconsin 3.8
Yards per carry: Alabama 5.9, Wisconsin 4.3
Turnovers: Alabama 0, Wisconsin 1
Jalen Milroe has completed nine of his 12 passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns, with many of those yards going to Ryan Williams, who has four catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. Milroe also has eight carries for 50 yards and a touchdown.
Braedyn Locke, who replaced the injured Tyler Van Dyke for Wisconsin at quarterback, has completed only seven of his 16 passes for 55 yards.
After taking over 73 yards from the end zone and with just 36 seconds left in the half, the Tide immediately gets to work, with Milroe connecting with Williams for a 47-yard pass on first down.
The following play, he found Germie Bernard for a 26-yard touchdown on another excellent deep ball.
Alabama went those 73 yards on just two plays and in 19 seconds. Tide now with a 21-3 lead.
The Badgers get a long-awaited sustained drive, going 57 yards in 10 plays, but Nathanial Vakos, who made a 53-yarder earlier, goes wide right on a 44-yard attempt. Alabama will take over at its own 27.
As Wisconsin marches down the field to try to cut into its deficit, Alabama redshirt freshman linebacker Qua Russaw goes down with what appears to be a pretty serious injury.
Teammate DeVonta Smith brought down Wisconsin's Will Pauling, but crashed into Russaw's knee from the side and bent it at an awkward and painful-looking angle. Russaw is tended to by trainers and helped off the field, unable to put any weight on his left leg.
The Tide and Badgers have drives that go for a combined 23 yards. Alabama's James Burnip blasts a 64-yard punt, though, with all the yards coming in the air, to flip the field and get Wisconsin back on its own 16.
The Tide takes advantage of the Mellusi fumble. Jamarion Miller ripped off a 13-yard run on the first play of the drive to get Alabama closer to the end zone, with the Tide gradually working its way closer from there. On a 3rd-and-goal from the Wisconsin 3, Jalen Milroe takes it himself around the right edge and gets into the end zone.
Kalen DeBoer's team is now up 14-3.
The first turnover of the game is a big one. Chez Mellusi tried to finish off a long scamper by plowing over Malachi Moore, but the Alabama safety lowers his helmet and pops the ball out, with Zabien Brown falling on top of the ball.
Tide takes over at the Wisconsin 28 with a chance to add on to its lead.
The Tide follows up a quick Wisconsin drive with one of its own. A false start on first down put Alabama on its heels early and a short pass from Milroe to Justice Haynes stopped four yards shy of the sticks.
The Badgers manage just two yards on three plays, with a two-yard rush and two incomplete passes for Locke, who is now just 2 of 7 for 13 yards. Wisconsin punts, with Alabama taking over at its own 36.
Thanks to Williams' touchdown, the Tide heads into the second quarter with a four-point lead.
Ryan Williams' outstanding start to his college career continues.
The Tide's 17-year-old freshman catches a beautifully placed long ball from Jalen Milroe in the end zone for a 31-yard touchdown to put Alabama on top, 7-3. It's already the fourth touchdown reception of the season for the Mobile native, who, in case you aren't tired of hearing it already, is only 17.
The Tide drive went 60 yards in four plays, with Williams' touchdown coming on a 3rd-and-7.
The Badgers had a chance to continue their drive with a 4th-and-1 after Vinny Anthony caught a pass from Braedyn Locke, shed some tackles and got down to the Alabama 39. Luke Fickell wisely opts to try to gain the remaining yard rather than attempt a 57-yard field goal, but the Tide defensive line overwhelms Chez Mellusi from virtually the moment he takes the handoff, stopping him for no gain.
Jalen Milroe and Alabama will take over at their own 39.
Following Van Dyke's injury, Wisconsin settled for a field goal after a promising opening drive (and an interception scared). Alabama then drove itself and tried for a field goal, but missed, keeping the early lead for the Badgers.
After losing their starting quarterback, the Badgers at least get something out of their opening drive, with Nathanial Vakos drilling a 53-yard field goal to get on the board.
Wisconsin's job gets even harder here in the first. With the Badgers driving, Tyler Van Dyke went down with a leg injury for Wisconsin as he grabbed it on the sideline. Braedyn Locke will take over for the Badgers.
Wisconsin will receive the opening kickoff after Alabama won the toss and deferred its decision to the second half. Anthony returns out to the 25-yard line.
Among the tens of thousands of fans packed into Wisconsin's Camp Randall Stadium will be a famous face.
Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats, a Wisconsin native, is at the game and on the field in a Crimson Tide polo.
Nick Saban may no longer be roaming the Alabama sideline, but he knows quite a bit about Kalen DeBoer's first Crimson Tide team, having coached or recruited many players on the roster.
In star freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams, he sees shades of another Alabama great at the position, comparing Williams to five-time Pro Bowler and former all-American Amari Cooper when he was a freshman in 2012.
"Ryan Williams is a mature competitor, man," Saban said Saturday morning on "College GameDay." "He's one of the most mature kids I have ever recruited. As a freshman, he's shown maturity. And what that really tells you when a guy's a mature competitor is he can focus on the things that matter."
Date: Saturday, September 14
Time: 11:10 a.m. CT
Location:Camp Randall Stadium (Madison, Wisconsin)
TV channel: Fox
Streaming: Fox Sports app ∣ Fubo (free trial)
Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network (Sirius/XM channel 82)
The Crimson Tide and Badgers will square off in a nationally televised game on Fox. Gus Johnson (play-by-play) and Joel Klatt (analyst) will call the game from the booth while Jenny Taft will serve as the sideline reporter. Streaming options for the game include the Fox Sports app and Fubo , the latter of which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
REQUIRED READING: Alabama football vs Wisconsin: Score prediction, scouting report
Series record:Tied 1-1
Alabama's last win:2015 (Alabama 35, Wisconsin 17)
Wisconsin's last win: 1928 (Wisconsin 15, Alabama 0)
Anna Snyder, The Tuscaloosa News :Alabama 35, Wisconsin 14
" Alabama's trip to Camp Randall Stadium marks its final game before it opens SEC play on Sept. 28 vs. Georgia. The Crimson Tide will be looking to rebound after its shaky performance against South Florida and have the opportunity to do so in one of college football's oldest stadiums. "
Bill Bender, The Sporting News : Alabama 35, Wisconsin 14
"This is the third marquee Big Ten-SEC showdown in as many weeks, and a chance for the Badgers to score an upset against the Crimson Tide. Wisconsin's offense still hasn't gotten off the ground in the Luke Fickell era, while Alabama QB Jalen Milroe has a 205.6 passer efficiency rating Alabama's offense has been humming. That is a big number for a road game, but Kalen DeBoer will be aggressive to put this game away."
Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Thursday, Sept. 12:
Spread: Alabama (-16.5)
Over/under: 49 points
Moneyline: Alabama -800, Wisconsin +550
Alabama― OL Kadyn Proctor (shoulder injury, expected to play )
Wisconsin ―WR Joseph Griffin Jr. (ineligible, out for season)
According to The Weather Channel's forecast, Saturday will be partly cloudy in the morning in Madison, Wisconsin before shifting to overcast in the afternoon. The high temperature is expected to be 85 degrees, with winds blowing ESE at five to 10 miles per hour.
Here's a look at Florida 's full 2024 football schedule, along with available kickoff times and television information:
All times Central.
Saturday, Aug. 31:Alabama vs. Western Kentucky (W, 63-0)
Saturday, Sept. 7:Alabama vs. South Florida (W, 42-16)
Saturday, Sept. 14:Alabama at Wisconsin | 11 a.m. | Fox ( Fubo )
Saturday, Sept. 21:BYE
Saturday, Sept. 28:Alabama vs. No. 1 Georgia * | 6:30 p.m. | ABC ( Fubo )
Saturday, Oct. 5:Alabama at Vanderbilt *
Saturday, Oct. 12:Alabama vs. South Carolina | 11 a.m. | ABC or ESPN ( Fubo )
Saturday, Oct. 19:Alabama at No. 9 Tennessee *
Saturday, Oct. 26:Alabama vs. No. 8 Missouri *
Saturday, Nov. 2:BYE
Saturday, Nov. 9:Alabama at No. 17 LSU *
Saturday, Nov. 16:Alabama vs. Mercer | 1 p.m. | ESPN+ , SEC Network+
Saturday, Nov. 23:Alabama at No. 13 Oklahoma *
Saturday, Nov. 30:Alabama vs. Auburn *
* SEC game
Here's a look at Wisconsin's full 2024 football schedule, along with available kickoff times and television information:
All times Central
Friday, Aug. 30:Wisconsin vs. Western Michigan (W, 28-14)
Saturday, Sept. 7:Wisconsin vs. South Dakota (W, 27-13)
Saturday, Sept. 14:Wisconsin vs. No. 4 Alabama | 11 a.m. | Fox ( Fubo )
Saturday, Sept. 21:BYE
Saturday, Sept. 28:Wisconsin at No. 11 USC *
Saturday, Oct. 5:Wisconsin vs. Purdue *
Saturday, Oct. 12:Wisconsin at Rutgers*
Saturday, Oct. 19:Wisconsin at Northwestern*
Saturday, Oct. 26:Wisconsin vs. No. 7 Penn State *
Saturday, Nov. 2:Wisconsin at Iowa *
Saturday, Nov. 9:BYE
Saturday, Nov. 16:Wisconsin vs. No. 6 Oregon *
Saturday, Nov. 23:Wisconsin at No. 24 Nebraska *
* Big Ten game
Tyler Booker's message to teammates following Alabama football's offensive line woes vs USF
Alabama football vs Wisconsin : Score prediction, scouting report
Looking ahead: How Alabama football commitments performed during high school action
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn't influence our coverage.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama vs Wisconsin: Game updates, final score from Week 3
